Flash lamp structure for cameras



April l2, 1932. H. H. HlPwEuL FLASH LAMP STRUCTURE FOR CAMERAS yFiled NOV. l5, 1950 Patentedl Apr. 12,1932

UNITED STATES HARRY E. HIPWELL, @F TELEVISEUR-GH, PENNSYLVANIA FLASH Lamar encarnan rea @ernaar-ls Application led November 15, 1930. Serial No. 95,8%3.

My invention relates fto flash lamp structures for cameras, and more particularly to a structure for automatically effecting the ignition of a photographic flash lamp in timed relation with the actuation of a camera shutter. f In structures of-this type, difficulty has been experienced in effecting proper synchronization or timing of the ignition ef an il- 19 luminating flash to the operation of a camera shutter, particularly when shutters of the high speed type are employed.

One object of\my inventionis to provide a structure of the character referred to, with means for synchronizing the firing of a flash and the operation of a shutter.

Another object of my invention is to provide a flash lamp structure and a shutteroperating mechanism that is especially suitable for use in connection with high-speed camera shutters.

Still another object of my invention is to provide apparatus of the character referred to ofv generally simplified and improved form. ,i

One form of structure embodyingmy invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a face view of the apparatus, in operative connect-ion with a camera; Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof, on an enlarged scale, with the lamp sockets and 'reflectors removed; Fig. 3 is a view, on an enlarged scale, taken on the line III- 111 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 isa fragmentary View.

of the apparatus of Fig. 3, with the plunger mechanism thereof latched in retracted position.'

The structure is shown as embodying an ordinary dry cell battery casing 5, such as 49 commonly employed in connection with small flash lamps. The casing will contain the necessary number of battery' cells to produce the desired'voltage.l The casing 5 is pro- .vided` with a-cap 6 to which is suitably secured a bracket-like extension 7. The'cap 6 constitutes a base for an ordinary lamp socket 8, as shown moreparticularly in Fig.

2, and into which a two-way plug 9 may be positioned, if desired. The sockets 9 carry 5 flash lamps 10, such as are employed in photographic work, the lamps 10 each having a fusible element and being filled with a combustible gas and a flash powder or foil, so that combustion will be effected within the lamps when it is desired to produce illumination for photographic purposes, by closing the circuit through the lamps.

C The lamps 10 are provided with reflectors 11 which are pivotally mounted on a lug 12 ofthe bracket-like extension 7, as shown more particularly Fig. 2. rThe reflectors 11 may -be moved back into folded position alongside of the battery casing', so that if the lamps 10 are removed,.the structure is in compact form and can be easily carried in the pocket of a photographer, or may-,be readily packed for shipping. The lug 12 carries a threaded stud to which a thumb nut 13 is secured, so that the reflectors may be readily clamped thereby in set position.

A cylindrical casing 14 is carried by the bracket-like extension 7 and contains a piston l5 that is normally held in advanced position by means of a compression sprin 16. The ends of the cylinder 14 are close by end blocks 17 and 18, the upper end block 17 serving as an anvil for receiving the impacts of the piston 15. i,

The end block 17 is suitably secured in the forward end of the cylinder 14 and is provided with an opening 19 through which a stud or bushing 20 extends. 'lhe'stud 20 is f provided with an enlarged head portion and a clamp nut, .and is insulated from the block 17 and the bracket 7 by means of insulating 85 washers 21, and se'rves as a. clamping memberl to secure the casing 14 tot e extension 7. The stud 20 is of smaller da eter than the opening in the block 17, passageways 19a being provided in the head portion thereof to 90 effect communication between the interior of the casing 14 and the opening 19. A nozzle 22 is threaded into the end block 17 and communicates withl the opening 19. l

A hose 23 is connected at one end to the l"v nipple 22, the other end of the hose being connected to a pneumatic shutter actuator 24 that may be of any well-known type, suchvas employed in ordinary bulb-o rated cameras.

The member 24 actuates a s utter to expose 10 the film of a camera 25. Pressure for actuating the device 24 is secured by retracting the piston 15 against the contraction ,of the spring 16 and permitting the `piston to be moved forwardly by the spring and thus create the desired alr pressure in the cylinder 14, the lcompressed air discharging through the opening 19 and the nozzle 22. y

For a purpose to be hereinafter described, the initial movement of the piston 15 is inefrfective to compress air in the cylinder 14.

latched in retracted position b means of a e radially movable'trigger 27. he trigger 27 is carried by a spring 28 disposed circumferentially of the lower end-of the casmg 14, and is'provided with a thumb iece 29a, by means of which the latch may e moved radially outwardly. The trigger 27 normally bears against a. shank 29 carried by the piston 15, such shank being provided with an undercut portion or notch 30 into which the trigger is projected by the spring 28, to maintain the,

plunger in .its retracted position. Upon movement of the trigger lever 27, the shank 29 will be released to allow the spring 16 to push the piston 15 forwardly.

\ Biston passes and closes 'means' of a spring 35. l c The stationary contact member 34 which It will be seen that during the initial movement of the piston, no air .pressure will be built up in the cylinder 14 until after the the openings 32.

uring this portion of the movement of the plunger, the circuit for the lamps 10 will be closed so that the lamps will be ignited in synchronism with, or 1n predetermined advanced relation to, the operation of the shutters.

A switch mechanism comprises a movable contact member 3 3 and a stationary contact member 34. The movable contact me ber 33 is yieldably mounted within the plston shank 29,- so that after the contacts are brought into engagement through movement ofthe piston 15, they will be permittedto remain in contacting engagement, during the remainder of the piston movement. f

The movable contact member` 33 is movable longitudinallywithin the shank 29 and is prevented from falling out of the shank when of the inner end ofthe Jshanliat'the point 33a, the contactbeing yieldably maintained in position at the inner end of the shank by cooperates withthe movable contact member 33 to control the circuit of the flash lamp is extended through' the bushing 2 0 and has threaded engagement therewith, so that the f I movable contact will engage the stationary c contact during the initial movement of the piston, thereby completing the circuit to the lamps 10 before the piston covers'the opening 32 and effects compression of alr in the upper end of the cylinder. e Y

In this manner, the contacts bei relatively adjustable and normally cause to engage at a point lying within the portion of the casing where compression is eliminated by the release of air from the casing until the openings are closed by the piston, the lamps Willlbe ignited at predetermined advanced timed relation with res ect to the operation of vthe shutter' by the further movement of the piston after closing the openings 32. Thus when high speed camera shutters are employed, the contacts will be adjusted. to

close the ignition circuit for the lam s previous to the operation of the shutter, t ereby assuring that the flash will occur either in syncfhronism with the actuation of the shutter or in advanced timed relation therewith. l In order to control the point in the casing at which t e piston will b e eii'ective to compress the air, a yieldable sleeve member 38 is slidably mounted extriorly of the casing 14 and may be moved into position to cover the openings 32, or to cover such portions of said openings as is desired. In this manner, the point at which the air is initially compressed is determined by the position of the sleeve relative to the piston travel. The member 38 may be moved to,y completely cover the openings 32 when the flash structure is not in use, to prevent dust and dirt from entering. 'into the casing 14.

I claim as ymy* invention 1. The combination with a camera shutter, ,of an air compressor for actuating the same, comprising a piston movable in a cylinder, a

switch for controllinga'source of illumina-v switch has been operated.

. 2. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comy prising a battery casing anda flash lamp car the piston isretracted, by the peening overf ried thereby, av compressor secured to the casing,.and having a movable piston'ifor compressing fluid therein, means for conducting fluid4 pressure from the compressor to a camera shutter, a switch for controlling the lamp andactuated by movement of the piston on its "compression stroke, and exhaust means controlled bythe said piston for preventing Y' 'compression of Yfluid in the compressor during a portion of the stroke'of the piston.

3. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a`battery casing andra ash. lamp vcarried thereby, a compressor secured to the casing, and'having amovable piston for compressing fluid therein, means for conducting fluid pressure from the compressor to a camera shutter, a switch for controlling the lamp and actuated by movement' of the piston on its compression stroke, and exhaust means controlled by the said `piston for preventing .y compression of fluid in the compressor during a portion of the stroke of the piston, the said switch being adjustably mounted in position to be actuated during the non-compressing portion of the stroke of the piston.

4. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a cylinder and a piston movable therein, means for connecting the forward end of` said cylinder to a camera shutter, means for moving said piston to compress fluid in the forward endof said cylinder, an exhaust assageway disposed lintermediate the ends of the cylinder, and controlled by movementI of. said piston on its compression stroke, a switch for controlling a source of illumination, and a switch-operating member operated by said piston for actuating said switch during the initial movement of said piston.

5. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a cylinder and a piston movable therein, means for connecting the forward end of said cylinderto a camera shutter, means for moving said piston to compress fluid in the forward end of said cylinder, an exhaust passageway disposed intermediate the ends of the cylinder and controlled by movement of said piston on its compression stroke, a switch for controlling a source of illuminaforward end of said cylinder, an exhaust passageway disposed intermediate the ends of the cylinder and controlled by movement of said piston on its compression stroke, a mov able electric contact member carried by said piston, a stationary contact member extending int the said cylinder to a point adj acent to said passageway, and in position to be engaged by the movable contact member during advance movement of the piston, the contact members serving to control a lamp circuit, and the said stationary contact being adjustable relative to the point of closure of the passageway by the piston.

8. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a battery casing and a flash lamp carried thereby, a compressor cylinder having a movable piston for compressing fluid therein, l

a spring for normally holding the piston in advanced position, means for retracting the piston against the said spring, means for conducting fluid under pressure created during the advance movement of the piston fromthe compressor to a camera shutter, means controlled bythe movement of the piston for determining the point at which the piston willbe effective to compress the fluid in the cylinder, and switch means for controlling said lamp and operatively connected with said piston for actuation thereby during movement of the piston toward the said compression point. 4

In testimony whereof I, the said HARRY H. HIPWELL have hereunto set my hand.

HARRY H. HIPWELL.

tion, mea-ns for actuating said switch during the initial movement of said piston, and a yieldable sleeve member movable into position to cover a predetermined portion of said passageway.

6. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a" cylinder and a piston movable, therein, means for connecting the forward end of said cylinder to Ia camera shutter, means for moving said piston lto compress fluid in the forward end of said cylinder, an

.exhaust passageway disposed intermediate the ends of the cylinder, and controlled by movement of said piston on its compression stroke, a movable electric contact member cari ried by said piston, and a stationary contact member extending into the said cylinder to a point adjacent to said passageway, and in position to be engaged by the movable contact member during advance movement of the piston, the contact members serving to control a lamp circuit. l

7. Flash lamp structure for cameras, comprising a cylinder and a piston movable therein, means for connecting the forward end of said cylinder to a camera shutter, means for moving said piston to compress fluid in the 

